*We open at Louie's on a very slow day. It's been snowing all morning, and it's currently when the lunch rush usually arrives. Only the boys are there, sitting at usual table. Louie is behind the counter, wiping it down and checking the clock for the umpteenth time. Slip is frowning, his chin in the palms of his hands, propped on his elbows. Sach and Whitey play Tiddlywinks. Chuck and Butch attempt to cheer up Slip.*

(Sally is on Slip's other side, rubbing his shoulder. Marsha looks over Whitey's shoulder while they play. Rachel wipes tables.)

Louie: (Looks at the clock again; sighs) I wonder if we should close the store. That snow isn't stopping.

Sally: I'm sure things will improve once the snow slows down, Uncle.

Chuck: It couldn't get any worse.

Whitey: I win!

Sach: No fair! (Nods at Marsha) I was distracted!

Marsha: What did I do? (Pulls her cardigan sweater around her...assets)

Whitey: What distracted? I won fair and square! *turns to Chuck and Butch* You saw it, guys. I won fair and square!

Chuck: I'm staying out of this.

Sach: She kept throwin' herself where I could see it! (Points to Marsha)

Marsha: I can't help it if you don't pay attention!

Sally: Why don't you play another game and see who wins this time?

Whitey: That's fine with me. I'll just win again.

Sach: You wish!

Sally: (Looks at Slip) Honey, why don't you play with them? Maybe it'll help put you in a better mood.

Slip: *Doesn't move* Not int'rested.

Whitey: Come on, Slip! We're starting fresh.

Sach: Yeah! We're havin' a great time!

Sally: Honey, you can't sit here and mope forever.

Butch: Yeah! The play was over a month ago!

Sally: Slip, it's Christmas. The least you can do is act like it.

Butch: You've been actin' like a real Scrooge lately.

Sally: I know your shoulder is still sore. Are you still taking painkillers?

Slip: No, I ain't still takin' them.

Chuck: Slip, I haven't seen you smile or even smirk in weeks.

Sally: Honey, there's something really bugging you, and it goes beyond the play or your shoulder or even the holidays.

Sach: Are you mad I won all your gelt when we played the dreidel game?

Slip: Gelt is the least of my worries, Sach.

Chuck: So what ARE you worried about...or thinking about?

Sally: (Squeezes Slip's shoulder) Spill it, honey. There's no one here but the girls, the guys, Uncle, and me.

Slip: *Sits up straight; still frowning* I ain't worried about nutin'!

Sach: Then why have you been such a grouch lately?

Slip: Why am I a grouch for keepin' to myself?

Sally: It isn't just that. You've been very snappish with everyone, and that isn't like you.

Butch: You usually like decoratin' the tree!

Chuck: And I've had my head bit off more times than I can count.

Whitey: And you didn't put the Christmas lights around the living room.

Slip: I'm just...I'm not in the mood, alright?

Sally: Why? What's wrong? Are you sick?

Slip: No, I ain't sick. An' do we gotta keep playin' twenty questions?

Chuck: Until you help us out here, yeah, we are.

Sach: Chiefy, ain't there anythin' we can do to make you feel better?

Slip: You can quit askin' me what the hell's wrong cuz there ain't nutin' wrong! *stands* I'm sick of this fourth degree crap.

Chuck: Slip, come on. You don't need to yell.

Sally: Terrence Mahoney, we're your friends. We're trying to HELP you.

Sach: Yeah!

Slip: Was I yellin'? No, I don't think I was. *yells* Now, I'm yellin'! I just wanna be left alone!

Chuck: *Shakes his head* Slip, don't do this.

Whitey: *Quietly* We just want you to be happy, Chief.

Slip: I'm goin' for a walk.

Sally: In this weather?

Sach: Ok, Chief. We'll look for a snowman shaped like you on our way home.

Slip: Yeah. *heads for the door, but he walks right into someone just coming in; grunts* Why don'tcha watch where yer... *Looks up...and his eyes widen when they land on a white collar; swallows as he looks at the man's face* Father O'Hanlon...

Father O'Hanlon: *Smiles and nods* Some things never change. Right, Terrence?

Slip: Uh yeah, right.

Sally: Slip? (She comes out and smiles herself when she sees Father O'Hanlon) Oh, hello, Father. What are you doing here in this weather?

Father O'Hanlon: Lets just say I wanted to drop by to see how the boys are getting along.

Sally: They're doing all right. Slip was just going for a walk. I'm helping Uncle in the store.

Father O'Hanlon: *nods* That's good...though I was a bit bothered by some yelling I heard before coming in... *gives Slip a look*

Slip: *Folds his arms* That's why I was goin' for a walk.

Father O'Hanlon: Before you leave, Terrence, I would like to talk to you and the other boys for a moment. I have a favor to ask of you.

Slip: A favor?

Sally: What kind of a favor?

Father O'Hanlon: I was hoping you could all help me with a production at the elementary school. The church is promoting "A Christmas Carol," but we're a little shy on actors. You boys have done me well in the past, and I was hoping I could have your assistance once more.

Sally: I think that sounds like fun!

*Slip automatically starts rubbing his shoulder, but doesn't say anything.*

Sally: (She opens the door to the Sweet Shop) Why don't we take this discussion inside?

Father O'Hanlon: I'm sure it's warmer inside.

(They all enter the Sweet Shop. Father O'Hanlon stamps the snow off of his boots. Louie hurries up to him.)

Louie: Hello, Father. Would you like a cup of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows?

Father O'Hanlon: I would love one, Mr. Dumbrowski. Thank you.

Louie: Anytime. I know you're a different faith than me, but you've done so much for the kids in this neighborhood. (He hurries off to make the hot cocoa)

Sally: So, Father, what was this about "A Christmas Carol?"

Sach: The story 'bout the nasty old guy who turns good?

Father O'Hanlon: Yes, Horace, that's the story. *Turns to the group* The church is putting on the play at the elementary school. However, we've run rather shy of actors. We've been having terrible troubles finding people to take the major roles. I was hoping you boys could help us out.

Sach: We could do it!

Sally: I'd love to be in "A Christmas Carol."

Louie: I would, too, even though Sachula and I don't celebrate Christmas. A good story is a good story.

Chuck: Yeah, we'd love to help out!

Butch: I'm not very good at acting, but I could try.

Marsha: I love actin'!

Whitey: I'll help out, too.

Rachel: It sounds like fun!

Jane: I love that story.

Father O'Hanlon: This is wonderful. *turns to Slip* You're awfully quiet, Terrence. Are you not interested?

Sach: Slip's a Scrooge already.

Sally: Of course he is!

Slip: I don't know.

Louie: Slipula, it's for a good cause. Think of the kids who would be seeing it.

Slip: *Rubs his shoulder again* The other play was s'posed to be for a good cause too, and I remember what that got me.

Father O'Hanlon: Terrence, only church members and school faculty are part of the crew. As a matter of fact, I've already acquired Gabriel Moreno as our director.

Sach: Gabe's gonna direct?

Slip: Gabe?

Butch: How'd you talk him into that?

Louie: Well, he's done everything else.

Father O'Hanlon: He came to me asking what he could do to help out. He said he heard about it through the grape vine, but I think his girlfriend who works at the school might have had something to do with it.

Sally: That's right. I heard he was dating a teacher.

Butch: Well, like you said, he's done everything else.

Father O'Hanlon: How about it, Terrence?

Louie: Slipula?

Slip: *Rubbing his shoulder again* I still don't know...

Father O'Hanlon: I can't force you, Terrence, though I had really hoped you would join in.

Sally: Please, honey? (Squeezes his shoulder again)

Sach: It won't be the same without you, Chiefy! I'm gonna do it, an' I don't even celebrate Christmas!

Chuck: We're all gonna be in it, Slip.

Slip: *Sighs* All right, fine. I'll do it.

Sach: Yay! (He gives Slip a huge hug) This is gonna be great!

Father O'Hanlon: Wonderful, Terrence. This evening we're doing a read-through and will get everyone roles and fitted into costumes. If you could be at the school at five, we'll get you all started in the production.

*Slip scowls under Sach's hug.*

Sally: Oh, this is going to be wonderful! (Turns to Slip) Maybe we could see if we could ask some of our other friends to help, too.

Father O'Hanlon: Please do. The more, the merrier.

Sach: (Squeeze Slip) This is gonna be great! The whole gang will be together for the holidays!

Louie: Perhaps I could provide some hot chocolate and cookies for the cast afterwards, too.

Father O'Hanlon: Certainly, Mr. Dumbrowski. I'll see all of you at five. *Nods at Slip, then heads out*

Sally: It won't be so bad, Slip. For one thing, if Father O'Hanlon's involved, it has to be legit.

Butch: And it's for kids. No one's paying to get in.

Slip: Why couldn't I just sleep through the season?

Sach: Aww, that ain't no fun!

Chuck: You don't mean that, Slip.

Sally: Because you'd just be grumpy that you missed everything.

Slip: I'm goin' for that walk. I'll see ya at five. *heads out of the Sweet Shop*

Louie: (Frowns) What's gotten into him?

Butch: We have no idea. He's been like this at home, too.

Sach: He's been like this ever since he got out of the hospital.

Chuck: *Nods* And he just won't talk about it, not that that's really anything new.

Sach: Maybe doin' the play will cheer him up.

Louie: Or make him worse.

Sally: You know, we aren't getting any customers anyway. Why don't we start making some calls, close the store, and get over to the school?

Sach: Yeah! We'll ask everyone we know to help!

Chuck: Yeah, lets get a jump on this!

(We fade out on Chuck and Butch making their way to the phone booth.)

(Cut to what appears to be a much smaller backstage area than the one in "Bowery Boys Get a Clue." Most of the props appear to be home-made or donated, and the backdrops and scenery look like kids made them...which they did.)

(Gabe is in the middle of everything, one of the only people in a normal suit. There's several folks around him. Sally, wearing her long red ruffled gown from "Sally and the Beast," hurries up to him.)

Sally: Gabe, Slip's still not here!

Gabe: *Shakes his head* Does anyone know where he went?

Sach: (Joins her, holding a bag of Christmas hard candies; he's dressed like a Victorian gentleman in a heavy coat with brass buttons and a tall hat) When does Nephew Fred go on again...and where's my uncle?

Butch: (He's dressed similar to Sach...but there's a hint of heavy green plush under his coat) No! No one's seen him since this morning.

Bobby: (He wears the same coat and hat as the other two...but wears breeches of an earlier era instead of the trousers the other two wear) We've gotta start soon. The kids are gettin' restless. And someone needs to fix the Fezziwig's Tavern set. One of those backdrops fell down again.

Gabe: I'll get someone on it. *heads off to find said someone*

Chuck: *Joins them* Don't tell me Slip isn't here yet.

Bobby: Ok, we won't tell you.

Chuck: Thanks, Bob.

Sach: He probably went for another walk. He musta walked all over New York twice by now. (Shoves his bag under Chuck's nose) Hard candy?

Chuck: Sach! *steps back* Not now, thanks.

Chuck: *Sighs* A search party would be useless. He could be anywhere.

Butch: He'd better show up before the play starts. I don't think Father O'Hanlon will be happy if we don't have a Scrooge.

Sach: He wouldn't do that!

Chuck: With the way Slip's been acting, I wouldn't put anything past him right now.

Gabe: *Re-joins them* Whitey offered to fix the backdrop. *looks around* Based on all the looks on your faces, I'm gonna take a shot in the dark that Slip hasn't arrived yet.

Sally: That shot would hit dead-center. No, he's not here yet.

Duke: (He joins them, dressed like the others in a Victorian top hat and coat) Has anyone seen my "Ghost of Christmas Future" cloak?

Gabe: Sorry, Duke, I believe it's on the rod in the prop room. It just came back from being dry cleaned.

Duke: Thanks. I ain't gonna make a very believable Ghost without that thing.

Butch: At least yours doesn't itch.

Sach: I'm just lookin' forward to Nephew Fred's party.

Chuck: Well, there won't be a party if we don't have a Scrooge! *Sighs* There may not even be a play. None of the rest of us would be an overly believable Scrooge.

Sally: (Nods) We could possibly try for Uncle. He's the right age...but he gets so jumpy, he'd probably faint the moment Jacob and Robert Marley showed up.

Duke: Explain to me again why we have two Jacob Marleys?

Gabe: Because Buddy and Junior were fighting over the role. I gave in to make them stop.

Duke: They really wanted that bad to scare Scrooge?

Gabe: It was the last role left, and neither wanted to be left out. *shrugs*

Chuck: *Checks his watch; shakes his head* I'm really starting to get worried.

Sally: I wish there was a way we could call him.

Sach: Maybe we should carry walkie-talkies.

Duke: Or at least tin cans on string.

Gabe: I bet Whitey could come up with something.

Father O'Hanlon: *Joins them* Well, all of you look splendid.

Sally: (Curtseys) Thank you, Father.

Butch: Father, have you seen Slip anywhere? We're missing our Scrooge!

Father O'Hanlon: Why, no, not since earlier this afternoon.

Sally: He went for another one of his "walks," and no one's seen him since.

*Just as Sally says this, we hear a door slam off to the side. Slip stands just inside the door, stomping off his boots. He wears a long overcoat with his usual hat. There's snow on his hat and shoulders. He slides off his hat and shakes it out while watching the others.*

Sach: Chiefy! Where have you been? (Grabs him and hugs him) We thought we lost you in the snow!

Sally: Honey, it's almost time for the show!

Slip: *Whacks Sach with his hat* Gedoff, Sach.

Father O'Hanlon: You'd better all take your places. The curtain will be rising soon.

Sally: (Nods) I'll go touch up my face in the dressing room. I don't have to be on for a while.

Chuck: *Stops next to Slip* Slip, I don't know what is going through your head lately, but you're worrying us something awful, and you're driving me crazy. You're my brother, and even I don't know what's going on.

Slip: So I gotta tell ya everythin' before I do it? Since when, Chucky? If I remember correctly, yer the little brother. *heads off for his mark*

Butch: What in the hell’s with him?

*Chuck just shakes his head.*

Sach: He's still mad that his play didn't go like he wanted it to.

Gabe: I always knew Slip could have an attitude, but this is just ridiculous.

Father O'Hanlon: A troubled young man is one thing. A troubled young man who won't let his troubles out is a problem. Unfortunately, Terrence falls into the latter category.

*Chuck scuffs his way to his mark.*

Rachel: *Fuming* That was just awful.

Sally: I'll make him talk to me if I have to punch him in the nose onstage in front of the kids!

Duke: I don't think that'll help.

Gabe: Considering his character, the kids might just cheer.

Father O'Hanlon: I'm afraid we'll have to take care of this later. We do have a play to do.

Gabe: Right. The curtain will be going up any moment.

(The group splits up, with Sally taking one last look over her shoulder at where Slip had gone before heading to the dressing room with a sigh.)